wfn.org | Lutherans Rededicate Themselves to Seek Full Communion With the

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

Episcopal Church
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

BULLETIN -- PHILADELPHIA

August 19, 1997

LUTHERANS REDEDICATE THEMSELVES TO SEEK
FULL COMMUNION WITH THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- After rejecting a proposal to enter now into
"full communion" with The Episcopal Church, the Churchwide Assembly of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has rededicated the church to work
toward establishing that relationship in 1999.  The assembly overwhelmingly
adopted two resolutions on Tuesday, Aug. 19, outlining that resolve and the
steps the ELCA should take to achieve that goal.
     Addressing representatives of the Episcopal Church who were on hand
for the votes, ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson said, "You feel the
urgent and heartfelt intent of this church to enter into full communion
with the Episcopal Church."  He assured them that, with patience and
continued cooperation, the goal of full communion would be achieved "in the
Lord's time."
     The ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted on Monday to reject a formal
proposal for full communion, Concordat of Agreement.  Needing two-thirds or
690 of the votes cast for approval, it failed 684 to 351.
     The first resolution passed Tuesday said "our church remains
committed to the ultimate goal of full communion with The Episcopal Church
and other churches" and listed four resolves outlining things the ELCA will
do to educate itself on Lutheran and Episcopal doctrine, creeds and
polity."  That resolution passed 930 to 79 -- or 92.2 percent in the
affirmative.
     The second resolution built on a 1982 agreement for "Interim
Eucharistic Sharing" to maintain conversations between the two churches "to
bring to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly a revised proposal for full
communion" with The Episcopal Church.  That resolution passed 995 to 15 --
98.5 percent in the affirmative.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html